Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. If Mika Zibanejad is still here next season, then I won’t be.
I just can’t do it to myself anymore.
(But I’ll still watch every game next season and talk about them on social media too – but spending three-hours a night recapping this misery are three-hours that I can better spend elsewhere! After all, there is some paint drying out there that needs to be watched!)
The 2024-25 Rangers’ season, one of the worst, if not the most disappointing in franchise history, has left a bad taste in the mouth of many, if not all, Blueshirt believers.
This young off-season that has presently ensued thus far following that horrendous campaign doesn’t exactly scream out anything encouraging either.
Granted, while there is still a whole lot of summer to go (heck the summer season doesn’t officially start until 6/21 anyway!), an amount of time which will include trades, a draft and a frantic free agent period – but really – do you see these Rangers, in their current incarnation, led by team owner James Dolan and the man who seemingly has some sort of power over him, Team President/General Manager Chris Drury, faring any better next year?
Then ask yourself this question too:
Can you really see these Rangers, with this present roster and management, having any shot at all of declawing a Florida Panthers’ franchise that’s now become the gold standard?
(And I’ll have more on the Panthers below – as I have had a lot of reader questions about the trade that wasn’t from 2021 – Sam Bennett for Tony DeAngelo.)
And wouldn’t the capper to this Rangers’ season full of misery be an Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup win?
(The 2025 Stanley Cup Final between Florida and Edmonton is currently tied at two-games a piece.)
And similar to Chris Kreider – and we all miss you too Kris Knoblauch!
For the first time in the eleven-year history of this site – then it’s been over six-weeks since my last blog entry.
While part of my long break had a lot to do with my never-ending and busy real-life work schedule; then at the same time – I’m starting to lose a whole lot of interest with a franchise that I feel to be free-falling – and free-falling fast.
To put it simply, then I just don’t see this team as a Stanley Cup contender in the near-future at all.
These Blueshirts have broken me so bad, that while I still continue to watch every single game of this year’s playoffs – I’ve also been derelict in my writing – not just this site – but also including the two book projects that I wanted to get done prior to the first puck drop of next season.
As I look at the Rangers right now, then for the first time in a long time – and I just don’t find anything attractive about them at all.
Instead, they just conjure up feelings of hatred and disappointment in me.
Presently, and as I write these words on June 12th, 2025, one day prior to my 43rd birthday (and a great birthday gift for me would be a trade of Mika Zibanejad to anywhere – but heck, I’d settle for a deportation too) – and I can’t remember a time where there was nothing to look forward to with this franchise.
While I was too young to truly remember the “Trader Phil” (Esposito) era (but I do know all about it – and I’ve also written a book about these years too); then at least with the only man to play for, call games for, coach and manage this franchise – you knew that he cared – and more importantly than that – that he wanted to win too.
(Again, while not successful in the least – but he sure did give a shit! Furthermore? Had “Zoom” been around back then – and as it always is for Drury today – then you know that Espo would have kicked his computer to the curb – and in favor of face-to-face interactions.)
From the “No Shit Sherlock” department: Not only was Esposito a better player than his counterpart of today, Chris Drury (it was Esposito that helped lead the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final) – but he was also a better captain as well – especially considering the fact that many, including yours truly, consider Drury to be the worst captain in all of franchise history.
(But if you’re Drury’s official conduit/P.R. agent, and as Larry Brooks of the New York Post currently is – then you’ll say that Jacob Trouba was the worst captain in franchise history. Furthermore while on Brooks? Then I was shocked that he just realized today that all of Drury’s big trades have been with Western Conference teams. Man, has Mollie really dumbed him down over the years.)
Once the Esposito era ran its course, then as you may be aware of – the Rangers soon won the Stanley Cup – and as they did in 1994.
That victory took place one day after my 12th birthday – and it was also a championship hangover that was able to carry me throughout the remainder of the Neil Smith era too.
(That’s also why I always say on this site that I’d take one Stanley Cup win in the now – and then sit through ten years of nothingness should such an option ever realistically be presented to me!)
In 2000, when the Senile Sather Error began, what we know now is what we didn’t know then – the man gifted with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier in Edmonton would soon become the longest-tenured front office executive in New York sports history to never win a championship.
(25 years!)
And in a way, then I think that Jim Dolan, for all of his wackiness, is also loyal to a fault – and to all of the wrong people too – and as I suspect is also the case with the Pizza Makin’ GM today, Drury himself – and just as it’s been in the past with the likes of Sather and Isiah Thomas.
I’ve written a lot about Sather over the years, in-between this site, my books and on social media – so there’s no reason to rehash all of it again.
That said, when he first took over in N.Y.C., then the man, then in Edmonton at the time, who most infamously said, “if I had the Rangers’ payroll, then I’d win the Stanley Cup every year,” failed to do so in his first four-years as GM – and a quartet of years that ultimately preceded the 2004 lockout – and the salary cap era that we now live in today.
While all of us have criticized Sather over the years; but in the moment/at the time, specifically those first four seasons prior to the lockout – then we could all understand what he was attempting to pull off.
But of course, the Rangers never made the playoffs in any of those years – and it wasn’t until the salary cap came around when Sather had his first postseason berth as a Rangers’ front office executive.
For as terrible as Sather’s tenure was (no Stanley Cup wins), then it was very rare when you thought that he wasn’t gunning for a championship.
Following Sather’s final-and-failed all-in season, which resulted in that Game 7 2015 ECF loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning – the Jeff Gorton era began – and soon thereafter – “The Letter” too.
After the February of 2018 public decree which cited an intent to rebuild – then it was still easy to root for these guys.
After all, you still understood what they were doing.
Better than that?
Once rebuilding-and-construction would become complete – then it felt like there would be some light at the end of the tunnel.
And in a way – there was – and as the two eventual ECF berths would suggest.
However, and just as fast as the rebuild came-and-went – then so did both of those coaches – and core players as well – from those two ECF runs (2002 and 2024) too.
If I’ve said these two things once on this site, then I’ve said them 7896786986969686896986 times over, the following:
“The 2024 Eastern Conference Final loss will go down as the peak of the Chris Drury era and this core.”
“Drury’s biggest failure as GM was the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.”
Over a year removed from both of these predictions, then I think that I was spot-on – and as I usually am (self-pat on the back)!
That now brings us to today – and where this franchise feels like it’s in a bigger state of disarray than ever before.
The recent revolving door feels like one directly pulled out from the Trader Phil Era – but unlike Esposito – then all Drury is getting back for his big-name trades is cap space.
I also fear, and as mentioned last time, that this Summer of 2025 isn’t really beneficial for any fringe team – which the Rangers are.
Not only is the ’25 draft class projected to be the weakest in years – but so is the free agency class.
However, both classes are expected to be blockbusters next year.
But since these are the Rangers, and especially even more so after last season, then I fear that Drury, and like GMs before him, will splurge on second-rate stars – and in addition – on players that the franchise could’ve had on the cheap in years past.
(And as will be explained below – Sam Bennett to be specific.)
Such potential and franchise-altering moves would weaken the Blueshirts’ chances when the cream of the crop truly becomes available – including that Connor McDavid fella.
Before fully examining the Chris Kreider trade and everything else going on in Rangerstown, USA today, then I guess the point of this long spiel is this:
There aren’t that many likeable people associated with this franchise.
The team owner has had a laissez-faire approach with this club ever since first taking over some thirty-years ago.
The GM botched his biggest moment – while also going through three different coaches since backstabbing his predecessors four-years ago.
The head coach has the stench of the Penguins all over him – and hasn’t won a playoff round in a dog’s age.
Former lottery picks have become all-out busts, injury-prone or moved elsewhere – and where of course – during the rare time when the Rangers do land a #1 overall, and as they did in 2020 – and it’s not known if Alexis Lafreniere, whose struggled more than shined, will even be back next season.
While we have to expect more changes to occur down the pike; but at this moment, then who is really likeable? Who do you root for? Who’s a fan-favorite?
Fourth-liner and the seldomly-used Matt Rempe?
The back-up goalie, one who may be embarking on his last season at that, Jonathan Quick?
Even CZAR IGOR, a major fan-favorite, will be meticulously criticized from this point forward, as he enters next season as the highest-paid goalie in the league – and just like how you see some sects of the fan base criticizing the extremely wealthy Adam Fox today.
(And you can expect plenty of “PIGGY IGGY” commentary from my good pal too, Stan Fischler!)
And when you break it all down?
Then just read my past blogs – as I have predicted most of this current state in real-time.
While I didn’t see the 2024-25 collapse coming (who did?) – but I did tell you that the Rangers had to move Mika ASAP.
I also told you that Laviolette had to go – and maybe if he was fired earlier in the season, ala what happened in St. Louis, then maybe the Rangers would have reached the playoffs.
And if this was the case, then maybe Chris Kreider would still be a Ranger today.
As a refresher, then here’s where I left off last time around:
James Dolan Says “The Buck Stops Here” with “Cowardly Chris;” The Zoom Zoom Pizza Makin’ GM Extended For Two More Years, Drury Lies & Goes Back On His Word (Again); Immediately Gives His Boston Bed Buddy Mike Sullivan The Richest Coaching Contract in NHL History, Major Sully Concerns, All Ranger Problems Still Remain; A New Head Coach Needs a New Core, Trade Targets Outweigh The 2025 Class of Free Agents, Draft Lotto Will Determine Drury’s Next Move, Second-Round & Beyond ’25 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions & Thoughts, The Classy Joe Micheletti Retires & More
Before getting into everything (and there is a lot to talk about), then at this time, let’s do what we usually do whenever a major deal goes down – as here are what both teams had to say about this explosive trade below.
I should also mention, even though I assume that you already know about this, that this Kreider trade was first reported by Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff – and as he reported on Tuesday, June 10th.
Following two-days of speculation, what Seravalli reported became official – and right down to the Rangers’ return.
And once again, a non-member of the Blueshirts’ beat had out-scooped the regular morons that parade around as alleged reporters.
Up first, Cowardly Chris and the New York Rangers, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-carey-terrance-and-a-third-round-pick-in-exchange-for-chris-kreider-and-a-fourth-round-pick :
Here is what Anaheim had to say after the cap-space swap – but where they were also clear to point out in their headline that Kreider is “the top goal scorer in Rangers playoff history and also the only NHL player to score 300 goals, 100 PPG, 50 GWG goals and 10 SHG since 2012-13.”
The following comes from https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-acquire-kreider-2025-4th-round-pick-from-rangers:
In addition, then Kreider, and like Jacob Trouba before him, also sat down with a member of the Ducks’ P.R. team, which ironically – is something that you’d never see in the New York state media.
Heck, then outside of Drury’s nothing statement – and not one interview about this major franchise decision.
While we’ll discuss some of what Kreider said later on; but for now, here are the links to CK20’s first interview as a Quacker:
Chris Kreider spoke with @AlexisDownie_ following his trade to the @AnaheimDucks to share his excitement on joining the team.
Watch/listen:
📺 Coming soon to @victoryplustv
🍎 https://t.co/8DGH5Z37TC
🎧 https://t.co/jRDCpZiQ00 pic.twitter.com/ejgpnrFbL0— Ducks Stream (@DucksStream) June 12, 2025
With all of the official words out of the way – let’s now tear apart this trade – and where let’s face it – the root of this deal squarely falls on the shoulders of the man who Kreider considers his best friend forever today – the Swedish-Iranian long-haired cancer known as Mika Zibanejad.
Two things before proceeding.
Number one, I hate, heck all-out DESPISE, this trade.
That said, and number two – I also understand why this trade happened.
But this all could have been avoided, but between mentally soft players and a GM that seems hellbent on screwing around with his core players – that is – sans the one that most deserves to be ostracized from the community – and here we are today.
We all know the story about Chris Kreider.
As the 19th-overall pick of a star-studded 2009 NHL Draft Class (John Tavares and Victor Hedman respectively went one-two that year), the product of Boston College actually began his NHL career during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Under a head coach that he’d later butt heads with, John Tortorella; Kreider went on to score his first five of an eventual franchise record forty-eight playoff goals in what ultimately became a six-game Eastern Conference Final loss given to them by the hands of the Devils – and the first of four ECF losses that Kreider suffered throughout his baker’s dozen of years tenure with the Rangers.
Following the 2012 ECF loss, the NHL then experienced their third lockout under the “wisdom” of Commissioner Gary Bettman. As a result, Kreider began his 2012-13 pro campaign with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford, before making his NHL regular season debut with the club later on in January of 2013.
Tortorella and Kreider, who never really saw eye-to-eye, had rocky beginnings, so much so, that not only was the inspiring rookie from the 2012 playoffs soon made a healthy scratch – but he was also demoted back down to the Wolf Pack too.
After an extremely embarrassing playoff loss sustained in the second-round of the 2013 playoffs (a five-game ouster against Boston), Tortorella was canned. Then, and in one of those “from the wacky-and-wide-world-of-sports” moments, Alain Vigneault, just fired in Vancouver, took over in New York. His successor with the Canucks? Torts himself.
This all set the stage for what would become Kreider’s first biggest and most memorable moment as a Ranger – a November 30th home game against his former head coach and the Canucks.
Now officially in his rookie season – and Kreider, who downplayed all of the hostility with his former bench boss – went on to score the first hat trick of his career – a 5-2 Rangers’ weekend matinee win.
This game, over time, ultimately became a foot-note.
In Kreider’s rookie season – and Vigneault’s first as head coach of the Rangers too – this 2013-14 campaign – and the Blueshirts went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final – and as Carey Price, the Montreal Canadiens, and their fans too, can tell you all about.
But it was the 2014 Stanley Cup Final where the Cinderella run met its demise – and of course – in a five-game series set against the Los Angeles Kings – which concluded on June 13th, 2014 – my 32nd and worst birthday of my lifetime!
After agreeing to a two-year contract extension in the Summer of ’14, Kreider, now emerging as one of the team’s best scorers, helped the Rangers when winning their first Presidents’ Trophy since 1994.
But that’s where the comparisons stopped – and as the final two home games (Games 5 and 7) of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs proved – back-to-back Tampa Bay shutouts of New York – enroute to their seven-game ECF victory.
As said on this site at the time (archives don’t lie) – that playoff run, one that Cam Talbot should have had the net in (due to a Lundqvist throat injury sustained earlier in the season), was the end of an era.
A half-hearted 2015-16 season, and one that produced an embarrassing five-game first-round ouster in the playoffs thereafter (against Pittsburgh), was the beginning of the end for a former core of lure.
While the Rangers did feel primed to make a run in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs behind a then career-best Kreider season of 28 goals, 25 assists and 53-points; the end result was another playoff chokejob, as the underdog Ottawa Senators upset the heavily favored New York Rangers in a six-game second-round series – and a series that made Jean-Gabriel Pageau a “Ranger Killer” for life.
The season that followed was a “Murphy’s Law” campaign – including a serious blood clot sustained by Kreider.
Between injuries elsewhere, an aging core and rival teams leveling up – the Rangers admitted the inevitable – it was time for a change.
“The Letter” led to a mass exodus of talent, most notably Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller and Mats Zuccarello – three players that not only the Rangers could still use today (and heck, Miller is now back) – but trades that absolutely went nowhere too.
Only the Rick Nash trade to Boston, a deal that produced the likes of Ryan Lindgren and Ryan Strome, went somewhere – but even then – and both of these players are now gone today.
As the rebuilding seasons commenced, and now under head coach David Quinn; come the fall of the pandemic year, 2020, which also led to the departure (and then due to a heart condition – his retirement too) of Lundqvist – Kreider, who began his NHL career some eight-years ago – was now the longest-tenured player on the team.
For whatever reason – and despite his status, respect from his peers, playoff clutchness and overall likeability – he was never handed the captaincy.
Following a dry spell with no “C” in-town (the end result of the McDonagh trade to Tampa), it was Jacob Trouba, ironically, one of the players that helped sell Kreider on Anaheim today, that took over a role that many felt had became Kreider’s birthright.
If there was ever a season that was more controversial than the one that just passed (2024-25), then, and without question, it was the 56-game 2021 pandemic-plagued campaign.
Between Russian accusations, a jettisoned defenseman, the rise of woke politics, getting smashed by their biggest rival (the Islanders), the infamous “Tom Wilson” incident – and anything else that you can conjure up – and the 2021 season became a lost cause.
Elsewhere, and Chris Drury, then the assistant GM (while also serving as the GM of the Wolf Pack), orchestrated the first back-stabbing of his Rangers’ executive career – which then led to the public firings of GM Jeff Gorton and one of the biggest fan-favorites of the modern era, John Davidson – and a JD who first returned to the organization not even two-years prior.
In Drury’s first move as both Team President and GM – he bid farewell to David Quinn, and in a corresponding move, then hired Gerard Gallant to replace him.
Gallant, in his two-years, would become the winningest coach in franchise history (points percentage wise – and yes – these stats are a product of his era) – and better than that – he also absolutely unlocked Kreider.
Not only did “The Turk” task Kreider to become a penalty killer for the first time in his career, where in turn, Kreider has led the league in short-handed goals ever since; but Kreider, who never had scored more than 28 goals in a single-season before – not only finally became a thirty-goal scorer – but then a forty-goal and fifty-plus goal scorer too.
Setting career-highs in the 2021-22 season, Kreider, who scored 52 goals, 25 assists and 77 points, helped lead the Rangers to another Eastern Conference Final.
But alas – and in some deja vu too – it were the Lightning that had burnt the Rangers once more.
A year-later, Kreider, one of the team’s FAT CATS due to his status as a highly-paid player, was the only one of the sort to show up in the Rangers’ first-round 2023 playoff loss against the Devils.
Kreider scored six goals and totaled nine points in the series.
Kreider’s BFF, Missing Mika, scored one meaningless “A-Rod” goal in this postseason. The highest-paid winger in the league, Artemi Panarin, went without any red lampers.
Adam Fox, with eight assists, was the team’s second-best scorer of this fiasco – and a fiasco so bad that it ultimately led Drury into firing his second coach during his short tenure.
In what will now be considered Kreider’s last highlight reel run with the Rangers, the 2023-24 campaign; the longest-tenured Ranger, now under Peter Laviolette, fell one goal shy of scoring 40 goals again (39). However, and as an integral member of a red-hot power-play, Kreider finished the season with a career-high 36 assists, while totaling 75-points overall – two short of his career-best.
Once again under a coach in his first season with the Rangers, and like Vigneault and Gallant before him – and Laviolette & Kreider saw the Blueshirts reach that year’s Eastern Conference Final.
But it was the same result – another series loss sustained against a Florida team – this time the Panthers.
We’ve fully recapped the 2024-25 season before, and it’s too painful to do so once again, but in what’s now Kreider’s last season as a Ranger – it was a mess. (No shit!)
Between injuries (vertigo, back and knees), his GM toying around with him and an overall lack of production from the entire team – and Kreider, who finishes with 326 goals and 582 points throughout his 883-game Ranger career; scored his final 22 goals – and only 30 points too – during his time in the Big Apple.
And for a man who finishes with 116 power-play goals, tied for first-overall in franchise history with Camille “The Eel” Henry?
After scoring PPG #116 in January – he never surpassed Henry come April.
In a way, and this is admittedly a stretch, especially when you consider postseason histories and where they are in their respective top-ten franchise statistics – but to me, then Chris Kreider, albeit for a younger generation, was like how I viewed Don Mattingly as a kid.
No matter how old you are, then either way – and Ranger fans saw Kreider grow up here.
While very quiet (he still avoids all social media and rarely does interviews either), we saw a promising youngster, once full of speed, grow into one of the best net-front physical presences in all of the league.
And let’s not forget about his elite penalty killing either.
But of course, there’s the other side too, the lean times, as well.
Once emerging as a grizzled veteran and leader of this team – and there were plenty of times when the “Casper Chris” headlines popped-up.
Over time, the close-to-the-vest Kreider, while not making excuses, did reveal that he was playing through injuries – and including that blood clot from 2019 – and all of the litany of ailments sustained in 2024-25 too.
A model representative of the franchise, Kreider drew inspiration from “Saint” Adam Graves – as he did a ton of charity work in the community – mainly via the team’s Garden of Dreams outfit.
And that’s why he won the newly installed “Mr. Ranger Award,” one in honor of another philanthropist, Rod Gilbert – and as he did back in 2022 during its inaugural presentation.
Kreider, as mentioned, who has his name plastered about many franchise records, has had many unforgettable moments as a Ranger.
Whether it was his 2012 debut, his first career hat trick, his 52-goal game season, his status as the best goal scorer in Rangers’ postseason history or something else; perhaps it’s Kreider’s final postseason win, the 2024 semi-final against the Hurricanes, that will be remembered most fondly.
In a series that had slipped away on behalf of the Blueshirts, the Rangers and Canes had reached a Game 6. At the time, it felt that had the Hurricanes prevailed in this home game – then a road Game 7 would have fell in favor of the Raleigh team too.
Down 3-1 when entering the final period of this Game 6 – and Kreider not only scored a hat trick – but of the natural hat trick variety too.
Three goals, scored in no less of a time-span of nine-minutes (8:58 officially), ultimately gave the Rangers a 5-3 Game 6 victory – and another trip, Kreider’s fifth, to an ECF.
Arguably the greatest forward that the Rangers have ever acquired via an NHL Entry Draft – and Kreider leaves a long and lasting legacy.
It’s just a shame that his fellow fat cats, players paid much more than him at that, could never have the big moments when it mattered most as he did – and since it was Kreider – and not Mika and others – that had a modified no trade clause – it’s the player that many thought would one day surpass Rod Gilbert’s franchise record of 406 regular season goals that’s gone today.
Unlike others, who I saw relishing and celebrating throughout the streets of Rangerstown, USA over this news (and as I would be doing had it been Mika – and not his BFF – that had been dealt) – then I am not one of these folk.
As said earlier – then I really don’t have much faith in the Rangers next season.
Furthermore, and as I’ve said a few times since the end of the 2024-25 campaign – and I think that one day moving forward, and while retrospectively looking back at this time – then we’ll consider this era as the third “Dark Age” of franchise history. (The first taking place after WWII, the second one transpiring from 1998-2005.)
Due to his contract status, then I understand why Kreider was moved.
And if you’re of the belief that someone like Alexis Lafreniere, Jusse Parssinen, Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, Arthur Kaliyev, Adam Edstrom, Gabe Perreault, Adam Sykora or another young prospect either in Hartford or waiting to be drafted at this year’s rendition, can break out and replace Kreider – and for much cheaper than Kreider’s cost too – then yeah – this is a good day for you.
But these are the Rangers – and Kreider is one of the rare exceptions – a homegrown drafted forward that the Rangers successfully developed.
As a historian, then I’ll use the facts and predict that nobody in the Rangers’ system right now is going to flirt with breaking Rod Gilbert’s franchise record of 406 goals – nor end their time in N.Y. as the highest playoff scorer in franchise history neither.
Just like other team leaders, fellow alternate captain Barclay Goodrow and then captain Jacob Trouba after him – and this Kreider deal was a pure salary cap dump.
With the Ducks assuming the final two-years of Kreider’s annual salary of $6.5M, then the Rangers are now projected to enter the summer a few dollars shy of $15M in available cap space.
But as noted earlier – it’s more prudent to be flush with cash next season when opposed to this season.
Of course – Drury may be trying to save his own job – and especially with the apple of his eye now behind his bench too, Mike Sullivan.
(The Knicks’ recent playoff loss doesn’t help Drury either – as Dolan does not want to go the grave without a major championship.)
As the Rangers perhaps mull over the likes of Jason Robertson, J.J. Peterka, Vladislav Gavrikov and ugh, maybe Mitch Marner too (and reportedly – Drury is talking to everyone); elsewhere and the Rangers’ GM must also consider the threat of offer-sheets – as these once “pipe dreams” are now becoming reality – and as we saw last season when St. Louis poached two players away from Edmonton (Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway).
For the Rangers, they HAVE to protect Will Cuylle from an opposing tempting contract. To a lesser extent, Drury has to worry about the likes of Edstrom and Rempe being pried away too.
And of course, there’s still a decision to be made about K’Andre Miller – where if he stays, then you that his regression will continue, but if he goes, then he’ll progress into a major force.
After all, that’s just how it goes for the Rangers!
The money opened up by Anaheim taking responsibility for Kreider’s contract does help – but again – the timing, much like the Rangers’ drafts over the years – and returning J.T. Miller back to N.Y. a year or two late too – is all wrong.
Best-case scenario?
A young player emerges from the pack – and for nearly a 1/6th of the cost of Kreider.
And if that happens, then what?
After all, Mika Zibanejad’s annual hit of $8.5M remains on the books until 2030.
As I’ve been saying for over two-years now – the fact that Chris Drury has gone out of his way to break other NMC’s and NTC’s, while allowing the Swedish-Iranian slug to continue his mopey act – well it just infuriates me to no end.
Mika can’t be saved – and I’ll never forgive him after his his recent cowardice against the Devils. (Full report here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/4525/ )
And when Kreider arrives in Anaheim, where he’ll then be greeted by friends and former Ranger teammates such as Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano – then these four must also wonder why Mika remains unscathed.
I mean, NMC’s are meant to be broken – and especially when the player is broken – and as Mika is.
It was reported following this trade being made official on Thursday, and from multiple outlets at that, that Drury, “learning from the errors of his ways last year,” informed Zibanejad of his plans of unloading Kreider.
In addition, it was also reported that Drury was upfront about his decision with Kreider too (and as Kreider said during his first interview as a Duck) – which is probably why Drury told Mika in the first place – as he would’ve found out anyway from his BFF.
Why Mika, who as of this writing, is now the longest-tenured player on the team, has so much power is baffling.
He’s the absolute source of the problems – and he’s never been much of a playoff performer either.
Had Mika not been a complete piece of shit for the last two-years – then Kreider would still be here today.
I’ll cut it short here – as this blog is already long enough and I’ve done these anti-Mika rants plenty of times already – but you can now add the departure of Kreider to Mika’s amassing list of follies and all-out failures.
In closing though, then I don’t see a scenario where Zibanejad playing a part on the 2025-26 roster benefits the Blueshirts at all.
Not one.
Outside of the cap ramifications and the loss of a face of a generation, then as far as the trade goes – then I still don’t like it.
That is, from a Rangers’ perspective.
I can’t profess to know one thing about Carey Terrace, but according to people in the know, including “The Draft Analyst” Steve Kournianos, then Terrace has a limited upside – and where he’ll need to prove himself in the AHL.
Again, a salary cap dump.
When it comes to the draft pick – then again – this is a weak class – and where I don’t expect the Rangers to find a diamond in the rough either.
After all, look at their recent lottery picks – and where the bulk of them were all dealt to the Western Conference too (Lias Andersson/LA, Vitali Kravtsov/Vancouver, Kaapo Kakko/Seattle and Filip Chytil/Vancouver).
And who knows where Lafreniere and Miller will be next season either!
From the Ducks’ end of things – then for a team that had to make this trade in order to reach the salary cap floor – then this was a no-brainer.
But even so – and Drury owes Pat Verbeek a steak dinner or fifty!
Not only is Kreider a proven playoff veteran, and now one with a chip on his shoulder – but he also has familiarity in Anaheim with his three former Ranger teammates living there.
He also has a budding friendship with Trevor Zegras too – as the two train together during the off-season.
Making Anaheim equally as attractive, and where keep in mind, Kreider also had to waive his modified NTC, as the Ducks were originally one of the teams that he said he wasn’t willing to go to?
The fact that Joel Quenneville, made to be victim due to woke culture (you always hear his name – but never the name of Brad Aldrich – the person who committed all of the crimes), is looking to make a comeback.
Not only did Coach Q. win three Cups in Chicago – but look at Florida today – as Q. was behind their bench before being unceremoniously ousted by the league.
It’s very easy to see why Ducks’ GM, “The Pig Farmer” Pat Verbeek, a former Ranger himself, was extremely agreeable to the idea of giving Q. another chance.
During Kreider’s first post-Ranger interview (linked above), he seemed at peace with the move – and as opposed to how Trouba was some seven months ago.
I guess that Kreider’s wife isn’t becoming a doctor anytime soon!
Kreider thanked the Rangers for the way that they handled this process – while also relaying feelings of great excitement when being reunited with his former teammates.
Kreider said that Trouba was one of his best friends, while also mentioning that throughout his career, Strome, along with Cam Talbot and Mats Zuccarello, were his favorite road-trip partners.
Mika’s name was never mentioned.
However, Quenneville’s name was – and where Kreider added that playing for Q. was one of the reasons, of many, as far as why he was willing to waive his NTC.
The name of Mike Sullivan, who Kreider played under before, and for that matter, David Quinn too (more below), were never mentioned either.
While the routine adage of “hockey is a business” was never muttered – that’s the feeling that you got – as Kreider never harbored any resentment at all – at least not publicly!
Rather, and Kreider said his best hockey was in front of him – and he’s looking to prove it – which would be by ending Anaheim’s current seven-year playoff schneid.
(The Ducks last playoff appearance was in 2018 – and where they were then swept in the first-round by state-rival, the San Jose Sharks.)
I’m going to miss Kreider – and should pigs fly in hell, which would mean the Rangers reaching the playoffs in 2026 – then they will severely miss him there too.
What, you think that Mika and Panarin are going to lift the team and score goals when it matters most?
One of the big talking points right now, and with Kreider’s Rangers’ days over (and who knows – maybe he’ll be back one day), is if CK20 deserves to have his jersey hung from the rafters of M$G one day.
Put it this way: Following that Game 6 hat trick against Carolina – had the Rangers done the impossible – which would’ve been winning the Stanley Cup – then this isn’t even a question.
As somewhat the “unofficial authority” on this subject, having written a book about it, and where I may even re-release it with new chapters for the centennial, then yeah – I’d give Kreider his day and adorn #20 from the rafters.
But not before honoring the likes of Frank Boucher, the Cook brothers, Bryan Hextall, Lester Patrick, Ron Greschner and Emile Francis first.
Do all that first?
Then yeah – hang #20 from the rafters – and what the hell – give Brad Park his moment too.
Thank you Chris Kreider.
Say whatever you want about him, but don’t get it twisted either:
His highlights, his good times, far outweigh the bad times and moments where you wondered if he was even playing at all.
And it’s not even close.
Unlike my five-goal Mika Zibanejad bobblehead – his 50 goal puck, his rookie card, his stick and all of the other CK20 memorabilia that I have, will remain proudly displayed in my ever-growing and sicking Rangers’ man cave.
Good luck Duck.
One last thing indirectly related to Kreider before getting into everything else?
Then isn’t amazing Suzyn, that like Tampa (starting in 2015), Carolina (starting in 2022) and Detroit (starting in 2024) before them, that it’s now Anaheim, away from both the south and east coast, that’s now putting together a roster of former Rangers – and by a GM who once played for the Blueshirts too?
Speaking of the Canes and former Blueshirts, our next topic.
On June 2nd, 2025, former Ranger Jesper Fast, who rightfully took the money that Carolina was offering him following the 2020 Bubble Cup Playoffs, is now retired.
The 33-year-old Fast, who was injury-prone at times (but never at a Filip Chytil level), missed the entirety of the 2024-25 season due to a neck injury which then led to a career-ending surgery.
Fast, through the Hurricanes, released the following statement:
The Swedish national has yet to announce any future plans in the sport, but where as you’d imagine, he may be interested in coaching or broadcasting.
The best of luck to Fast during the next chapter of his life.
In more alumni news – the return of a former Rangers’ head coach.
Just over a week ago, on June 5th, the Rangers, who saw Peter Lateralette assistant, Dan Muse, become the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins (not exactly the same as Tortorella/Vigneault from 2014, but interesting nonetheless), returned former head coach, David Quinn, to their ranks.
Up first, the Rangers’ press release, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/new-york-rangers-announce-coaching-staff-additions:
Again, since this return blog is way over my usual and ungodly word-count of 10,000 words, then from the TRUST ME BRO files (but the archives of this site, should you choose to peruse through them, will prove this following statement) – and I have always liked David Quinn.
Not only did I routinely defend him during his first foray in New York – but I also adamantly expressed my extreme displeasure once he was fired following a season that I thought he deserved little fault for – the 2021 Covid campaign.
After all, it was his GM that created a mess over Tony DeAngelo, a Russian nutjob that tried to run Panarin out of hockey, multiple injuries sustained throughout his ranks and a soft roster that failed to defend each other – and as both the Islanders and Tom Wilson exposed.
It was also his owner that drew the ire of the league when he called out both the commissioner and department of player safety – and rather to blame his own players for not being tough enough.
Since Quinn’s departure, then I’ve always covered him on this site – and continued my “DQ Apologist” act too.
I also thought that he got a bum rap in San Jose – as after all – they were blatantly tanking for a first-overall pick – and as they got when they finally landed Macklin Celebrini in June of 2024.
And when the Sharks finally got their man?
Then Quinn was fired by his friend, SJS GM, Mike Greer.
Quinn, who also coached USA Hockey in international tournaments, and with his Boston blood, hooked up with Mike Sullivan once more, this time in Pittsburgh – and as he did as a Sully black-and-yellow assistant last season.
I say all of this because I like DQ – I really do.
But outside of previously serving under Sullivan/having a relationship with him elsewhere – then I don’t get this at all.
Not only is Quinn returning to a boss that in his first move – FIRED HIM – but he’s also returning to a fracturing roster (as many names have since departed – and as illustrated above), that told Drury to remove him.
It’s thought that DQ will head up the penalty kill/defense under Sullivan – but it should also be said that the the Rangers’ power-play, sans a few subs here-and-there (most notably, Vincent Trocheck for Ryan Strome), is pretty much the same as it’s been ever since his 2021 ousting.
And doesn’t that fact say something about Quinn’s success too, as both of his eventual successors, had great success with their respective man-up units – and as Gallant had in 2021-22 and as Laviolette had in 2023-24.
Obviously, Quinn subscribes to that adage of “hockey is a business” – and he’s a bigger man than most of us too – as I don’t think that I’d ever go back to a boss/workplace that wrongfully fired me – and especially to a position that presents less power and money.
It started with Quinn.
It was echoed by both Gallant and Laviolette.
“You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you don’t play the right way, then you’ll never win.”
Sullivan will look to change that.
Drury will hope his whole tenure is not defined by that.
And as long as Mika is still here – well – then you know the rest!
Good luck to Mr. SWAGGER himself – and I hope that we get a few interviews out of him too – something that you don’t really see much of with NHL assistants.
As we wind down a bit, and with two serious subjects left remaining – a pause for levity if you will!
Still extremely frustrated and angry over the Rangers 2024-25 season, then in an act of boredom (and if you need to know – while taking a dump at work), then to kill some time, I played with Twitter/X’s AI system, “Grok.”
While asking Grok to respond to me with a Jamaican accent, here are some of the exchanges that I had with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence system:
Moving on!
While watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I tweeted out the following on June 10th (Game 3):
Sam Bennett for Florida again – the guy Jeff Gorton wouldn’t trade Tony DeAngelo for in 2021. Talk about one of the worst “no trades” in #NYR franchise history.
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) June 10, 2025
I received a myriad of responses to this – and where some people accused me of making this up.
I was shocked about that reaction – as after all – I thought this proposed DeAngelo for Bennett swap was common knowledge.
Worse than that?
Doubting me about this suggested exchange was lazy – as after all – a quick Google search had all of the information about it!
I believe Bob McKenzie, then with TSN, was the first to report it; but locally, and Larry Brooks of the New York Post wrote a column about this potential trade among two players that both franchises wanted to remove from their rosters at the time too – and as you can read here: https://nypost.com/2021/02/04/tony-deangelo-flames-look-into-trade-for-rangers-defenseman/
The real reason why I brought this topic back to the conversation (as I must have written about it here about 798678698698698689 times) was because whether Bennett becomes a two-time Stanley Cup champion or not this year – then either way – he’s going to get paid this summer.
And just like any other big-name free agent – and the Rangers are already rumored to have expressed interest.
(I should also mention – I don’t know why the NHL allows trades to be made during the playoffs – including this Kreider deal. After all, it’s not like active playoff teams can do the same.)
While I won’t proclaim that this “NO TRADE” was the worst in franchise history (but it is one of them), but similar to both Jack Eichel and Matt Tkachuk (albeit for different reasons) – and the Rangers could’ve had any one of these soon-to-be Stanley Cup champions and Conn Smythe contenders.
The time to trade for Bennett was when Calgary wanted to move him – and when Gorton decided to shut down DeAngelo.
(Keep in mind, this proposed trade talk transpired BEFORE Gorton publicly said that he’d never play another game for the Rangers again, thus devaluing all of TDA’s trade stock).
I have no clue what Bennett, who will be a UFA this summer, will get – but it’s thought to be over $10M.
(A comparable, and one that favors the younger Bennett and especially with more cap room to spend? Nazem Kadri, who after his 2022 Stanley Cup win in Colorado, received a 7-year deal worth $49M overall with ironically of all teams, the Calgary Flames!)
The hard-nosed and ass-kicking center, who will turn 29-years-old on June 20th, is a prototypical Stanley Cup champion in the modern era.
Hell, with his old school hockey approach – then he’d be an asset for any Cup contender in any era.
When it comes to the Rangers’ alleged interest in Bennett today – then no – I don’t think a contract of over $10M a season is worth it.
The time to get Bennett was over four-years ago – and when the Rangers could have got him for not only on the cheap – but during his prime years too.
While I’m not saying that Bennett will fall apart anytime soon; he’s soon-to-be thirty-years-old – and he also has a ton of playoff mileage on him too.
But deep down?
I think that Bennett personifies the new culture in Florida – which is my way of saying what he’s doing now – and this won’t be a direct correlation in production should he come to New York.
And with Gary Bettman recently shutting down any talk of leveling the salary cap playing field (the lovely and eternal state income taxes topic – where yep – I was the first to bring this up but now it’s commonplace talking fodder today – and just like the subject of goaltender contracts – a topic I first brought up over ten-years ago) – then it’s in Bennett’s best interest to represent the Panthers anyway.
(A response to Bettman? Bettman, who a few days ago on TNT, brought up how both Florida hockey teams were bad for a long time before their mini-dynasty runs, also neglected to bring up how the salary cap has been destroyed by the Covid years, thus giving these teams a much greater advantage when compared to previous years.)
Furthermore, and when it comes to Bennett, then I also don’t see him as a guy who can carry a team in the regular season.
Of course, the opposite is true when it matters most – as Sam “I Dam Can” Bennett can lift a team throughout the postseason.
But if the Rangers plan is to remove Mika Zibanejad, and then replace him with Bennett?
Then I’ll be the first person in line to buy a Bennett Blueshirts’ jersey!
One last topic – and I’ll try to keep it short – then we can go home – and take another six-week break too!
During the past six-weeks and the rumors have been flying left-and-right in Rangerstown, USA – as it seems like everyone, sans CZAR IGOR and J.T. Miller, have had their names bantered about.
And that included Kreider.
It’s also included the tricker-to-move Zibanejad too – and a player who may be more willing to waive his NMC, now with his BFF out of town.
As far as just taking a stab on what the Rangers can and will do, then just based on the facts presented – these following educated guesses – and where I should also add that I’d rather a youth movement, which would let you reload next summer when the prizes are far richer, instead of what best, will most likely be an early playoff exit:
— Will Cuylle will be re-signed. This is pretty obvious, and opening up $15M in cap room not only allows the Rangers to match any offer sheet that Cuylle may receive – but also extend him too.
— Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom will remain. Perhaps this guess is more preference than anything else, but I’d like to think that Dumbass Drury knows what he has with these two.
— Artemi Panarin won’t be traded between now and training camp. Instead, the pending UFA to be will return a bigger package at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline from a true contender – ala Brad Marchand.
— K’Andre Miller, who seems to be the biggest “will they or won’t they” candidate among the bunch, stays. After all, what are your other options? I think a bridge deal works best for both parties.
— Ditto Alexis Lafreniere – but only because I don’t see what team in the league would want to accommodate his new seven-year contract worth $52.15M overall. Not even the rebuilding teams such as Chicago and San Jose.
— The decision to trade the pending first-round draft pick to Pittsburgh is made – and the Rangers will give up their 2025 pick while keeping their 2026 selection. After all, the talent is deeper next season – and it’s also a deadline asset that should the remarkable happen – the Rangers, once again under a new head coach, go on an epic heater. And if that happens? Then let’s hope that Drury learned from his 2024 mistake – the biggest error of his tenure.
— Carson Soucy is a goner – but really – it’s not like he’s a difference-maker anyway. As far as the return? A draft pick or two.
— The Rangers will sign one monster name free agent – and that player will ultimately become a bust. After all, and outside of Panarin, that’s just the way it works here! However, that free agent won’t be Mitch Marner, arguably the biggest fish in the pond.
— Drury will sign some fringe fourth-line/third pair type – and one that’s previously played under Sullivan in the past.
— Schneider stays. Duh.
— As much as I want him gone – then I think that Zibanejad ultimately stays. Drury has enabled him and just as he has mind control over Dolan – then Mika has the same power over him. Furthermore, all of Drury’s big trades featuring brand-name talent have been salary cap dump deals – and I don’t think that Drury wants to retain any money – nor do I see any other team wanting to assume all of Mika’s mega misery deal either.
That said?
Well you know what I’d like to see happen – a Zibanejad trade, a deportation, a retirement and anything short of something serious/life threatening!
Before closing tonight, then I’ve been told that Dave Maloney is expected to join Kenny Albert in the M$GN TV announce booth next season, as the two radio broadcasters take over for the now retired Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti.
However, I’ve also been told that Maloney may be part-time, as the Rangers look to usher in a younger face.
As they say, we’ll see.
Sadly, Sieve Vagistat is expected back next season.
After all, he lives in Connecticut – a value that Drury holds in the highest of regards.
In addition when bringing up Rosen – then there may be a new banner hanging from M$G by this time next year. From the people that I talk to at M$GN, then this idea has been heavily suggested – but not set in stone – yet.
This also brings us to our normal PLUGS segment – and where the good guys at “The Blueshirt Underground Show” gave a great and informative recap of their recent meet-and-greet with both Rosen and John Davidson.
During the show, hosts Eddie G. & Jim S. were able to dispel an old rumor about JD’s old “Lone Ranger” mask.
Since I’d like you to watch the show, then I won’t spoil the story for you.
Rather than that, you can find out for yourself here:
While I haven’t watched it yet (but I plan to sometime this weekend – as these guys air/record live their shows during my work hours), then BSU also gave their take on the Kreider trade, while also talking everything else Rangers-related.
Here’s the 6/12 episode of BSU:
Some 20,000 words later?
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
